Tigers beat Mariners 5-4

AL Central-leading Tigers edge Mariners 5-4

DETROIT - Prince Fielder had three hits and scored the tiebreaking run in the seventh inning on a close play at the plate, leading the Detroit Tigers over the Seattle Mariners 5-4 Thursday.

Detroit trailed 4-3 after Seattle's Dustin Ackley hit a three-run homer in the fifth, but Fielder's RBI single in the seventh tied it. Then he scored from first when Victor Martinez doubled off Charlie Furbush (2-6).

It was a busy day for Fielder, who appeared to take and eat a fan's nacho after unsuccessfully chasing a fifth-inning foul ball near the stands.

Detroit shortstop Jose Iglesias left after being hit around the left wrist by a pitch in the sixth inning. X-rays were negative.

In the top of the fifth, Fielder chased after a foul ball that dropped near the stands. Before returning to his position, he took what looked like a nacho from one of the fans near the front and ate it, while receiving a pat on the back from another fan.

Fielder doubled in the third and fifth. After Hunter led off the Detroit seventh with a double and went to third on Miguel Cabrera's flyout, Fielder hit a single to make it 4-all.

Martinez, who had already been intentionally walked twice, followed with his second double of the game — to the corner in left field.

Fielder, who was thrown out at home on a similar play to end a game against Kansas City last weekend, was called safe this time, although Seattle argued.

Seattle scored a run in the first on an RBI single by Raul Ibanez. Hunter tied it in the bottom half with a solo shot, and Martinez added an RBI double later in the inning.

Seattle intentionally walked Martinez in the third with men on first and second, but starter James Paxton walked Omar Infante on four pitches to force in a run and make it 3-1.

Fister allowed four runs and nine hits with one walk. His only major mistake was a pitch to Ackley in the fifth that the Seattle outfielder hit over the wall in right for his fourth homer of the year.